Although Texas peanut production represents a large economic impact for the state, planted acreage decreased compared to last year, Woodward said. Producers planted approximately 200,000 acres in 2017 compared to almost 300,000 acres in 2016.

Texas is the second leading peanut-producing state in the U.S. Most of the state's peanut production is in the Panhandle on the Texas-New Mexico border, but peanuts are also grown in Haskell, Comanche and Brown counties in the Big Country

“Last year was an anomaly,” Woodward said. “There was a large increase in dryland acres because of a federal program that made peanuts a more attractive option for farmers. It’s back to around average this year.”

Woodward said the first frost arrived in the region recently and slowed maturity.

“There was a mild freeze and if damage is observed on the vine, that will dictate when those fields are harvested,” he said. “I expect fields affected would be harvested as quickly as possible.”

Woodward said peanut prices aren’t as good as they could be, but that growers with bumper fields would likely have a good year when they go to market.

But there is value in the crop beyond the market, he said. Many producers utilize peanuts as a rotation crop with cotton.

“Planting peanuts benefits next year’s crop,” he said. “It helps growers with sustainability to rotate with peanuts. They fix nitrogen in the soil and lessen issues with pests. Peanuts are also good from a weed-management standpoint. Growers can treat weeds in peanuts with products that can’t be used in cotton.”